Advice for new Android user

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gjm

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#157502 3-Dec-2014 08:53

So I've got my hands on a Galaxy S5 that I'm trying out. Previously I've always had an iPhone as my main device however I'm finding my way around the S5 without too many problems. My question is what are some of the cool / fun things or apps I can do or use that aren't immediately obvious. I'm also getting a pebble watch to go with it - what apps are people using with their watches?

Thanks :)

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#1187656 3-Dec-2014 09:11

If you are into any kind of automation then check out Tasker. There are a load of extras/plugins which will cost you a few $$ but the things you can do with it are limitless. That is the one app on Android which will stop me ever going back to iOS.

Heaps of online tutorials and examples of what you can do.

dafman

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#1187667 3-Dec-2014 09:25

My suggestions:
Have a good play with all the installed widgets - why Apple has never looked onto widgets for the iphone is beyond me!
If you like podcasts, 'Pocket Casts' is a great podcast manager
Have a look at 'Google Now' launcher - will give you access to Google Now voice recognition on your phone, as well as giving you a more stock android appearance
'Smooth calendar' has a great calendar widget
'Radio Paradise' outstanding free music streamer
'Google Keep' Note taking app. Can install on your PC as well as will sync between both
VLC or MX video players ensure all video formats can be played

NZtechfreak

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#1187671 3-Dec-2014 09:31

Tasker is awesome, definite +1 there.

Replace a stack of the stock apps. I'd look to replace the stock messaging app with something that has rich notifications - Evolve SMS probably the one to go for there. Replace the inbuilt video player with MX Player and get the custom codec plugin from XDA (just ask Google). Replace the dialler with something like ExDialler with a material theme. For music players check out PowerAMP, GoneMad Music Player. Solid Explorer or Root Explorer for file management. Replace the stock launcher with something like Nova Launcher (like Google Launcher mentioned above this adds the Google Now voice trigger to launcher screens, as do several other third party launchers). Replace the stock keyboard with Swiftkey. If you use DLNA UPnP stuff then Bubble Player a must. If you're a Lastpass user that app also well worthwhile now that it has the ability to fill in login credentials directly in apps and the browser.

Pushbullet is awesome.

USB OTG stuff is rather non-obvious and is awesome - allows USB peripherals to be connected - hard drives, flash drives, mice, keyboards, USB DACs, gamepads.

If you're a gamer with some old consoles and games gathering dust get some emulators on there - N64, PSX, PSP, NDS, GBA, Dreamcast all have very good emulators available - these are especially great with external gamepads (whether USB as per above or bluetooth). If you're going bluetooth controllers you can even connect multiple controllers and connect your phone to the TV for blasting some 4 player Mario Kart 64, or maybe some 2 player Tekken Dark Resurrection.

Do check out the Humble Bundle too, it's not available for iOS and is quite awesome when the Android ones roll around.

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gjm

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#1187673 3-Dec-2014 09:35

great thanks guys, will try some of the suggestions :)

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timmmay

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#1187686 3-Dec-2014 09:46

Tasker is great but complex. Even as an ex software developer turned architect I gave up on it - mostly because I found Llama which did what I want very easily - basic automation, scheduled restarts and scheduled airplane mode, sound profiles.

I don't use that many apps on my phone very often. K-9 Mail for mail, facebook (not messenger I find it annoying), gReader pro, stuff/herald, whatsapp are my most used apps. I have heaps of others, root browser, greenify, titanium backup, terminal emulator, super SU (for root), adaway (root required), wanam exposed (tweaker), authy, astrill vpn, quickpic for image viewing, snapseed for quick image editing, "a better camera" for fast access to settings, DiskUsage, AirDroid for PC control of phone (upload files etc), smart voice recorder, sms backup & restore, Bittorrent Sync, DropSync for dropbox sync (very customisable - used it to upload many GB of images while in Asia). I have quite a few little utilities, calculators, wifi analysers, that are used very occasionally.

NZtechfreak

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#1187713 3-Dec-2014 09:52

I see gReaderPro mentioned, definitely +1 on that. It has been one of my staple apps for a very long time now, because of Androids ubiquitous share intents it pairs really nicely with Pocket (also recommended, if you have not already found it). I see Quickpic mentioned also, forgot to mention that as a stock app replacement, again one I've long used.

EDIT: Realised I should mention the emulators specifically by name, as there are a lot of fakes and bad emulators on the Play Store -

PSP - PPSSPP
Dreamcast - Reicast
NDS - DraStic
GBA - MyBoy!
N64 - Mupen64+ or N64oid (available from Slideme)
PXS - FPSe (or ePSXe)

(there is Dolphin too for Gamecube and Wii emulation, but that won't give any playable results on S5 hardware, it's desktop app is amazing though and well worth checking out if you've an inclination towards emulation)

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Krishant007

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#1187727 3-Dec-2014 10:10

Question.. burning question actually.. POKEMON on android... anyone know if this is possible? Using MyBoy maybe?

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Wade

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#1187735 3-Dec-2014 10:19

Smart IR Remote - Anymote, turn your phone into a full blown universal remote control

You said fun apps right?..... go to shops and take control of all their tv's, go to the doctors and change the channel to what you want to watch, music too loud at the cafe? turn it down from the convenience of your table :P

NZtechfreak

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#1187739 3-Dec-2014 10:23

Krishant007: Question.. burning question actually.. POKEMON on android... anyone know if this is possible? Using MyBoy maybe?

Of course it is!

Twitter: @nztechfreak
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JayTaicho

294 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1187740 3-Dec-2014 10:26

NZtechfreak:
Pushbullet is awesome.

Thanks for Pushbullet.

Also, quick question on the PSP emulator. Bluetooth gamepads are all good with it?

gjm

808 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1187762 3-Dec-2014 10:39

good stuff guys. Ive got MX Player, EvolveSMS, Llama and WhatsApp installed. Ill muck around with the free apps for a while and then see if I want to give google my CC details for some of the paid apps.

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NZtechfreak

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#1188024 3-Dec-2014 15:21

JayTaicho:
NZtechfreak:
Pushbullet is awesome.

Thanks for Pushbullet.

Also, quick question on the PSP emulator. Bluetooth gamepads are all good with it?

Yeah, PPSSPP works with bluetooth gamepads, I use my Moga controller with it (stuff like Tekken is only really good with a controller).

Pushbullet is really good, recent updates that add universal copy n paste and SMS from your desktop have made it indispensible for me.

(universal copy and paste means if I copy something on my computer it is automagically in the clipboard for my phone and vice versa)

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JayTaicho

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#1188079 3-Dec-2014 16:03

Wow, it's great! Sends stuff instantly too. I like how SMS' pop up on the desktop. Thanks!

dafman

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#1188108 3-Dec-2014 16:50

JayTaicho: Wow, it's great! Sends stuff instantly too. I like how SMS' pop up on the desktop. Thanks!

Hangouts syncs between phone and PC as well if you install the Chrome extension, as long as is between two hangouts users

eth

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#1188112 3-Dec-2014 16:54

On my Moto G, I have found a number of apps really useful. PowerToggles is really useful for quickly toggling mobile data, WiFi, brightness, bluetooth, etc on and off from the notification window without having to go into settings. BatteryBot is awesome for showing the battery percent and time remaining on the notification bar and window. Another app is screen dimmer which is good to turn on in a dark room where the lowest brightness setting is still too high.

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